Orthodontic brackets for deciduous teeth

Abstract

The present invention relates to orthodontic brackets designed for use with the deciduous teeth and method for its use. The brackets provide one or more debonding tabs which reduces the potential for damage to the deciduous tooth due to the application of excessive force during the debonding process. The small size of the brackets allow the brackets to fit available crown space on the deciduous teeth. Further the brackets are shaped to minimize mechanical forces applied to the deciduous teeth when engaged with an archwire. The bracket bases are shaped to conform to the morphology of the deciduous tooth crown surface thereby providing an optimal adhesive interface with the deciduous tooth. The deciduous brackets provide proper adhesion to avoid unwanted detachment of the brackets which often occurs when the use of permanent brackets is attempted on the deciduous teeth.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 050,385, filed Mar. 17, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to the use of orthodontic brackets on deciduous teeth to correct tooth alignment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]One type of common orthodontic treatment involves the use of a set of tiny appliances commonly known as brackets and buccal tubes. Buccal tubes are normally mounted on the molars and brackets are attached to all other teeth. Each bracket is secured to a corresponding tooth through a bonding adhesive which is sandwiched between the pad of the bracket on one side and the enamel surface of the tooth on the other side. Each bracket has a slot to receive a resilient archwire. The slot forms a track to guide movement of the teeth to desired positions. Ends of archwire are commonly placed in slots or channel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The present invention relates to orthodontic deciduous brackets, kits and method for use thereof. The orthodontic deciduous brackets are designed for use with deciduous teeth. Deciduous teeth have been shown by various practitioners to be particularly useful anchors for the alignment of permanent teeth when integrated into a dental appliance. Embodiments of the orthodontic brackets for deciduous teeth are unique in providing debonding tabs which reduces the potential for damage to the deciduous tooth or for pain as a result of application of excessive force during the debonding process. The small size of orthodontic brackets for deciduous teeth allows them to fit available crown space on the deciduous teeth. Further the orthodontic brackets for deciduous teeth is shaped to minimize mechanical forces applied to the deciduous teeth when engaged with an archwire. Bases of the orthodontic brackets for deciduous teeth are shaped to conform to the morphology of the deciduous crown surfaces of various deciduous teeth thereby providing an optimal adhesive interface with the deciduous teeth. The orthodontic brackets for deciduous teeth provide proper adhesion to avoid unwanted detachment of the bracket which often occurs when the use of permanent brackets is attempted on the deciduous teeth.

Problems solved by technology

Due to a lack of availability of brackets and tubes for the deciduous teeth, orthodontists are forced to either defer the treatment to allow the development of permanent dentition or use the appliances that are designed for permanent teeth and place them on the deciduous teeth.

Due to different size and shape of these teeth the permanent teeth bracket bases do not adapt well to the deciduous teeth surfaces.

As a result of these and other factors, brackets bonded to deciduous teeth frequently come loose during the course of treatment creating inconvenience and frustration for both the patient and the dentist.

The brackets that are designed for permanent teeth are too large for the deciduous teeth.

They therefore interfere with proper brushing, cause impingement of the gum tissues and apply several unnecessary force vectors on the deciduous teeth.

Debonding brackets from deciduous teeth may also be a problem.

Therefore they may not have the structural integrity to easily sustain the pressure required for removal of a bracket as would a permanent tooth and cause pain for patient during removal.

Brackets made of materials more brittle than metal, such as ceramic, are not easily peeled or pried away from the tooth surface and tend to fracture under an applied force.

An attempt to apply mesial-distal force as described with metal brackets generally results in the fracture of the tie wings or other portions of the bracket.

Various tools have been put forward to remedy this problem (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,157 to Cleary, U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,183 to Hannan and U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,965 to Ruiz-Vela), but none has provided a complete solution.

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